Love Never-Ending Read online

  An Ellora’s Cave Romantica Publication

  www.ellorascave.com

  Love Never-Ending

  ISBN 9781419919066

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

  Love Never-Ending Copyright © 2009 Anny Cook

  Edited by Helen Woodall.

  Photography and cover art by Les Byerley.

  Electronic book Publication January 2009

  The terms Romantica® and Quickies® are registered trademarks of Ellora’s Cave Publishing.

  With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.® 1056 Home Avenue, Akron OH 44310-3502.

  Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded or distributed via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the publisher’s permission. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. (http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/). Please purchase only authorized electronic or print editions and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted material. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the authors’ imagination and used fictitiously.

  Love Never-Ending

  Anny Cook

  Dedication

  This is for everyone who offered an encouraging word—friends, readers, fellow writers and family members. Writing might be a solitary occupation, but the cheerleading section is enormous. Thank you!

  Mystic Valley Glossary

  attachment: natural mind bond that does not require pledging rite

  barbahla: flat bread

  birth-rite: special rite performed at the oath-binding to facilitate immediate pregnancy

  bohras: wild pigs, very dangerous to hunt thus requiring a large hunting party

  bond mate: individuals joined by pledging and oath-binding or covenant bond

  burda: time during which an embryo develops mental talents. Parents spend this time joined in sexual union

  chinkas: jeweled clasps awarded to warriors for the required twenty-five braids their hair is confined in. Five colors indicate the warrior’s particular specialties or training

  covenant bond: bond joining individuals who will not be producing children together, such as garzhan couples or third or fourth partners

  cucazhas: vegetable similar to a cucumber or zucchini, type of squash

  dinti: one of the four nonhuman sentient species in the valley—resembles a large dog with extremely long hair. The hair is saved and used for weaving of bonding blankets. Dintis often companion young human females

  drackas: wild onions—will not grow as a cultivar

  drang: one of the four nonhuman sentient species in the valley—a small dragon, said to be the forerunner and advisor of the next high clan chief

  eight-day: one week

  fanilver: a large dark brown edible mushroom

  firka: one of the four non-human sentient species in the valley—a gerbil/hamster-like creature that mostly lives in and weeds gardens

  flicknives: long-bladed wavy-edged throwing knives worn in sheaths on the leg. When thrown they spin like a drill

  foltins: wild potatoes—cannot be cultivated

  garbonhzan: a free woman who provides sex to unbonded men in return for financial support from the village. This is considered an honorable way for a widow to be self-supporting.

  garzhan: non-heterosexual

  garzhinka: crude expression for sexual activity

  gilly fish: glittering green fish similar to trout

  grimahr: very large wild catlike carnivore that has various combinations of blue-green, blue-purple or green-purple stripes

  Grimahr Dance: formalized series of fighting stances that are performed in sequence. Each series can be used both offensively and defensively

  hopper: small animal similar to a rabbit or guinea pig that is raised for food

  hot rocks: briquettes similar to charcoal that can be extinguished with water and reused. Mostly used for cooking

  hurkas: round domed tents fashioned from a variety of materials

  jloni: any adult in a bonded group who is not the biological parent of the children—analogous to a step-parent

  jlonijai: lineage, family line

  katuazha: caretaker for a healer, normally a sibling

  kroniche: leather armor or vest usually armed with tiny throwing knives in sheaths on chest

  kzusha: penis

  light stone: naturally occurring stones incorporated into all lamps in valley. They require no external power

  linual: reed paper

  malzhal tree: tree with very hard, ironlike black glittering wood used specifically for looms

  meerlim: female dress—wraparound with two fastenings at waist. May be sleeveless or have sleeves

  mhital: milking movement at orgasm by cervix—aids fertility chances

  moorash disease: disease carried by cannibalistic grimahrs—transferred by biting—usually fatal to humans

  morkert: lawgiver, justice, arbitrator

  oath-binding: blood rite to bond heterosexual couple after pledging rite

  packits: one of the four nonhuman sentient species in the valley—small cats in a variety of colors who often companion young human males

  peekie: blue or green bird similar to a chicken and utilized in much the same manner for meat and eggs

  pilkie bug: small furry blue bug that curls when frightened, usually found in compost heaps

  pledging rite: rite to begin mind bond, must be completed prior to oath-binding

  pocco nuts: coconut, coconut tree

  punchbow: type of crossbow, armed with as many as five heavy bolts and worn on forearm. In the hands of an experienced warrior can be fired while spinning in a circle

  quoltania: blue fruit tree used for a variety of things—cooking, tea, scents, flavoring

  rapport: deep mind bonding, usually reserved for bond mates because of its intimacy, but known also between twins

  reefah: plant that yields oil used for weapons care

  rowan: horse-cow type of animal used for meat, milk, dairy. Produces great quantities of manure used by farmers

  schalzah: a sexual frenzy usually triggered by delayed oath-binding or a twin pregnancy

  schalzina: female biological preparation for oath-binding and pregnancy. If sexual contact with the bond mate is denied either through a delayed oath-binding or loss of mate, schalzina can escalate to life-threatening levels with cramping, bleeding and miscarriage if a pregnancy is involved. Schalzina continues for the duration of the pregnancy.

  schalzintelo: a very rare form of mind frenzy triggered by a delayed covenant bond between twin-bond twins

  schela: ring of muscle in vagina that locks around the head of the penis preventing withdrawal

  semtorn: initial sponsor in the valley, individual who administers enzyme through a bite that is required for long-term survival in the valley. Enzyme transfer must be performed during a bonding rite

  sharda: men’s kiltlike garment—not plaid

  shera: men’s wraparound shirt. When made of heavy fabric it may serve as a coat

  sim: very mild alcoholic drink similar to ale

  singing stones: flat disks fashioned from chinka material that are used to capture any audio sound—played back by spinning the disk

  slith: tiny decorative knife worn as a hair orn
ament by warriors, given in recognition of special events in the warrior’s life, used in the oath-binding ceremony

  soul walk: journey of self discovery, usually undertaken by one or more young males over a period of several eight-days or even a couple of moons. During the journey the participant seeks to learn what part they will play in the life of the valley. In rare instances a young woman may undertake a soul walk under the tutelage of an older female.

  wachaz: thorny bush. Leaves are used for tea to relieve cramping particularly for schalzina, bark is used for tea to relieve headache

  wolvala: species of wild wolf

  woolie: species of sheep. Wool used for clothing, meat for food

  Chapter One

  Lost Market, Mystic Valley

  Samara McCrory hummed as she carefully hooked the last of her blooming plants on the hangers lining her porch. The early summer sun poured over the valley, sending shafts of light through the dense forest that surrounded her golden dome. Smiling, she looked around her small yard with the tidy garden. Little dome-shaped pottery hutches for the garden firkas dotted the neat rows of flowers and herbs. Their smooth curved shapes matched her new dome, her first home of her own. After many lonely years she was finally content and happy.

  Life in Mystic Valley was an isolated existence for any young girl robbed of her virginity by rape. Samara knew out-valley non-virgins were still permitted to mate and have children. Her mother, a first-generation immigrant to the valley, had explained the out-valley world to her. But things were different in the valley where producing children was the driving force. Here she would never have a child or bond mate, though it was possible she might find a man who would be content with a covenant bond and no children but that was very unlikely. She pressed her lips together and deliberately put away the thoughts that threatened her peace.

  Then she changed her mind. Instead of running away from the memories and consequences, perhaps if would be better if she looked at them head-on. Though she had little memory of the actual events that changed her life so drastically, in the years since that night, the other inhabitants in the valley had recounted them often enough. Maybe if she faced the past, then it would no long have the power to tear her heart apart.

  She closed her eyes, remembering how very young she was at sixteen. Her younger self had been full of hopes and dreams for a family and mate. She had completed the required bonding preparation classes so intellectually she understood the physical aspects of mating but physically she was unprepared for the intimacy involved. When Gil, the carpenter from Bell’s Corner, had pleaded for her to meet him at the summit of Needle Rock, it had seemed so romantic—and yes, she was privately willing to admit there was also the attraction of the forbidden. Needle Rock was the valley judgment seat where miscreants were tried for their crimes. It was definitely not an appropriate place for an assignation.

  Feeling daring and grown-up, she had slipped from the family dome and stolen softly through the gathering shadows until she reached the base of Needle Rock. As she set foot on the path to the summit, she hesitated for a moment, suddenly unsure but then she heard Gil softly call her name and she pushed her reservations to the side. What could possibly go wrong?

  She shuddered as she recalled her appalled shock when Gil tried to raise the skirt of her meerlim and touch her pussy. When she tried to back away, he pushed her to the ground, easily holding her down with his big heavy body. Samara had fragmented memories of trying to push him off, trying to scream only to have her breath taken away when he covered her mouth with his hard lips, pushing his tongue inside.

  And then as he shoved his kzusha inside her, searing her untried sheath with terrible pain, her hand brushed one of the fist-sized stones that littered the summit. Her fist closed around it and with one arcing blow she slammed it into his skull. Gil slumped over her, pinning her to the ground. Frantically, she pushed him off and staggered across the summit to the path, leaving the light stone behind her in her haste to get away.

  * * * * *

  Ten Years Before

  Thirteen-year-old Llyon Llewellyn was practicing the defensive moves from the Grimahr Dance with his brother Tyger in the moonlight on the practice field across the river when a flash lit up the summit of the judgment seat. The boys were running for the bridge before the roar and flare died out so they witnessed a young woman staggering down the path from the summit. She stumbled and then plunged from the path to land at the base with a sickening thump. Pouring on more speed, they arrived a few moments later. Llyon, a gifted young healer on the brink of Master status, dropped to his knees next to the woman. “Samara!”

  “Is she dead?” Tyger demanded, his heart pounding with dread.

  Llyon found a faint erratic pulse and shook his head. “No, Ty. Get Papa and Dai. I can’t fix this. I’m not ready yet!”

  “You might have to be,” Ty retorted soberly. “I’ll go get help but you do what you have to do, Llyon. Don’t let her die!” Ty ran to summon assistance, his mind voice screaming incoherently for help.

  Llyon, alone with Samara in the darkness, shivered as he gathered his tattered courage. “Don’t you die, Samara. Don’t you die,” he whispered with a trembling voice that cracked as he began to assess her injuries.

  “I don’t think she can hear you,” a gentle voice said from behind him.

  Llyon’s hands shook with relief when he heard the old healer’s voice. He tenderly touched the crumpled body at his knees. “I know that, Dai. Please save her.”

  “This time you must save her, Llyon. She is beyond my puny talents. I can lend you my strength but if she is to live, then you must open your heart and use the gift you’ve been given. Will you let her die because of your fear?”

  “No!”

  “Then heal her.”

  Muttering under his breath, Llyon very gently placed his hands just beneath her heart. “Heal the internal organs first,” he whispered.

  “That is correct,” Dai said with approval as he laid his hand on Llyon’s shoulder, willing him to have the courage he needed. Though Dai didn’t have the necessary level of talent to heal Samara, he could provide the strength and backing that Llyon needed. When he shared those reserves with Llyon, his apprentice gratefully accepted the warm flow of energy as he moved to the next step. In the tense silence, Merlyn and Jade arrived, waiting to speak so they wouldn’t distract their son.

  “Next heal the spine if there is damage.” The young healer let his senses flow out, noting the terrible injuries in passing as he carefully checked her spinal cord. A sigh whooshed out as he realized the damage to the fragile nervous system was miraculously minor.

  “What is next?” Dai prompted.

  Slowly gaining confidence as they fell into the familiar student-teacher mode, Llyon replied, “Bleeding. Internal and external.”

  “And?”

  “Begin at her head while Papa begins at her feet.”

  “Correct.” Dai knelt next to him, ignoring the pebbles digging into his bony knees. “Begin.”

  Tyger arrived with a folding stool that he set up on Llyon’s other side before settling his mother within touching distance of Llyon’s shoulder. She moved awkwardly because of her advanced pregnancy so he knew he needed to stay close at hand.

  All around them, villagers silently arrived with light stones and blankets. Those who had healing talent lent their strength to Llyon and Merlyn in an ever-widening circle. Samara’s parents, Ham and Rebaccah, ran into the circle of light, staggering to a halt when they saw Samara. Rebaccah stifled her cry with a clenched fist pressed against her lips before turning to rest her head on Ham’s chest.

  Samara groaned as her fingers twitched.

  “Straighten and heal broken bones.” Llyon muttered as he shifted uncomfortably on legs gone numb. “There are so many,” he fretted, wondering where he would find the strength to go on.

  “You have done more than your share, Llyon. There are enough bone healers here for us to deal with the rest. Tyger, ta
ke him home,” Dai commanded in a tone none dared refute.

  Tyger’s older sister Eppie moved to take his place next to their mother. Ty hoisted Llyon to his feet, supporting him as Llyon reeled drunkenly away from Samara. Their friends Jacob and Joshua ran to help him. Taking turns, they guided a weary, nearly delirious Llyon to the Llewellyn domes.

  Back at the foot of Needle Rock, the older healers worked feverishly to stabilize Llyon’s courageous work. No one acknowledged the full extent of the tragedy. No one voiced their curiosity aloud as to why on this cool summer night justice was meted out by the judgment seat.

  When Samara was ready for transport they carefully carried her to the small clinic room at the Llewellyn domes. Ham and Rebaccah stood nearby while Dai supervised the transfer. When the helpers were all gone and only Dai and Merlyn remained, Ham finally demanded, “What happened?”

  Dai sighed softly, dreading sharing his news with Samara’s parents. “I took her memories, Ham. She fell from the path to the judgment seat. Llyon and Tyger watched her fall as she was coming down the path.”

  Rebaccah sobbed quietly. “Why was she up there?” she wailed with the cry common to all parents when their children commit incomprehensible acts. “Why?”

  As gently as possible, Dai replied, “Gil the young carpenter from Bell’s Corner persuaded her to meet him up there. When she arrived he became angry when she refused him as a bond mate. They had words that ended when he raped her.”

  “He’s dead.” Ham’s flat words echoed in the small room.

  “Yes. He was judged immediately. Needle Rock was still shaking as Samara tried to make her way down the path. She lost her footing and likely panicked. I believe that is why she fell.”

  Rebaccah covered her mouth with shaking hands to hold back her cry while Ham held her close. Rage burned deep in his eyes as he stared at Dai. “She’ll never be able to bond.”